At the Student Government Association Senate meeting on Oct. 21, Steps of Hope, Assistive Technology, First-Gen Rowan Students Thriving, and Elementary Education Club, were all peer approved through placard votes, and are now official SGA affiliates. 

The Elementary Education Club said they intend on building a community for future K-6 educators. Through hosting workshops, providing hands-on experience, and resume writing assistance, the club hopes to support fellow aspiring educators, especially in a time of mass resignation and turbulence in public education. 

Annabella Lee, elementary education major, represented the club at the senate meeting. 

“I believe that this new wave of teachers are really bright eyed and excited to bring greatness to this next generation. It’s really a good step forward, and for us to bring that to Rowan is great,” said Lee. 

Along with this, a resolution passed to increase the undergraduate SGA fee from $91.50 to $100. With the number of clubs increasing each year, SGA proposed this resolution to help with funding them. The estimated accumulation from this $8.50 tuition increase is $115,000, with 61% of the funding going to SGA and 39% going to Rowan After Hours. 

The resolution must now be presented to the Board of Trustees which will hear it in December. 

Safety was on the mind of both the college and students at this senate meeting as well. 

Steve Rolando, director of the Office of Emergency Management, urged the student body to download RowanSafe. 

Rolando listed protective features such as quick access to police escorts, temporary location broadcast to security, and immediate dispatch of authorities. Other features include location-based evacuation strategies for emergencies like a fire, active shooter, and severe weather conditions. 

One student voiced concerns about gun safety during the open discussion period– this being in reference to the gun found in 230 Victoria. 

SGA President Zackary Brown, philosophy and public relations major, said students’ feelings of insecurity and fear are valid to have.

“Personally, even in my position as student body president, I was alerted about this by reading the paper [The Whit],” said Brown. “I do believe that there is a broader conversation to be held about transparency, especially as it relates to security at our university.” 

However, President Brown said he believes in RowanSafe, and said students are in “good hands” with security figures such as Michael Kantner, emergency management coordinator. 

Another safety concern related to sanitation and mold in Evergreen was brought up by a student at the meeting. Evergreen Hall’s management denied commenting on the claims presented, however, SGA president Brown did not. 

“This is not the first time that a building on campus has had mold, mildew, something airborne, or there’s been a bug issue on-campus housing, this speaks to a broader issue,” said Brown. 

Other business addressed at the meeting was the opening of the Chief of Staff position.

Another position that SGA is looking to fill is Assistant Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

SGA holds senate meetings every two weeks in the Chamberlain Student Center Ballroom, and the next meeting will be on Nov. 4. at 7 p.m.

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